Maritimo M48:
For 2-Couple/Family Cruising

The Maritimo M48, like all boats in the line, has a fully-enclosed and air-conditioned flying bridge, adding living space to the salon deck below -- there is no lower helm. A convertible couch on the bridge allows the captain to stay close to the wheel overnight when off watch on a long cruise. This convertible bed also makes the enclosed flying bridge into a third cabin in a pinch, and opens up more possibilities for this boat. On the main deck, tri-fold doors open the entire cockpit to the salon area. Interiors feature high-gloss, single-piece teak joinery for a look of impeccable fit-and-finish. We like the two en suite staterooms below because they make two-couple cruising more comfortable and private.
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Ocean Craft Marine is known for building military vessels that may have to endure rugged conditions, and their Hypalon RIB needs to be a tough, durable craft and light weight. It also must have high performance and shallow draft. The 9.5 M we tested was specified with twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 300-hp outboards. She ran 55.0 mph in our tests, jumped on plane in 3.3 seconds, and went from 0 to 30 mph in 5.5 seconds. This, for a boat with a very substantial test weight of 6,920 lbs. (3,139 kg) is impressive indeed.
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The Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht is an impressive mix of Mediterranean-influenced exterior lines, the builder’s proven engineering and construction strengths and contemporary interiors. She has a 21' (6.40 m) beam -- one of the widest in class, a 4'6" (1.37 m) draft -- one of the shallowest in class, and displaces 155,000 lbs. (70,306 kg) -- one of the greatest in class. When stepping aboard this vessel one is immediately struck by the fact that this is a substantial motoryacht -- not a light-weight replica of the real thing designed for dockside duty. With twin diesels ranging from 1600-hp to 1900-hp she can reach 30-knot speeds according to the builder.
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Test Video

Regal 3200:
Roomy Bowrider for Entertaining

The Regal 3200 is a premium bowrider with a 10'4" (3.15 m) beam that allows her to carry up to 17 in comfort and style. Up-scale touches include the electrically-operated PowerTower, which offers a high tow point for watersports but drops quickly to pass under low bridges. She also has a refreshment center with sink and pull-out cooler in the cockpit, and the head features cherry cabinets, a glass vessel sink and VacuFlush head.
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The Bavaria Sport 450 Coupe offers express cruiser versatility, and she's available in two or three berth layouts. Top-shelf standard features include an electric sunroof, hydraulic swim platform/dinghy launch, and large sun pads with a chaise lounge configuration both forward and in the cockpit. Teak decking in the cockpit and on the swim platform are standard in the U.S. model, while teak side decks are an option.
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The Volvo Penta V8-300 is catalyzed for clean operation, and Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) is available as an option for a modern, all digital engine and drive control. The 5.3 liter V8 weighs 996 lbs. (452 kg), and can be ordered with VP Duoprop, SX or Forward Drive propulsion systems in various gear ratios. We tested the engine with the Duoprop system on a 22'6" (6.86 m) wakesport design weighing 4,735 lbs. (2,147 kg), and found performance impressive -- she got on plane in just 2.6 seconds and delivered a top speed of 49.4 mph. Noise level was moderate at just 84 dBA at the helm.
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The Ocean Alexander 70 Evolution displays a modern exterior profile, combined with striking use of exotic woods and polished stone throughout the interior areas. Her interior is modern and tasteful, and she's built to classic seaworthy standards and craftsmanship that should deliver lasting value and dependability. Large hullside windows bring lots of light below decks, while even larger windows in the salon make it an open, airy and inviting venue.
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Captain’s Report

Sea Ray 310 SLX:
Upscale Bowrider Seats 17

The Sea Ray 310 SLX features many amenities as standard that are options on other brands, including a watersports tower that folds down electrically, a wet bar and a head compartment with sink, running water and a VacuFlush toilet. The cockpit entertainment area includes a sink and hard-surface worktop and can be upgraded with an electric grill and refrigerator. The dash is unique, with automotive-style Dynamic Display that provides all of the information for operational systems as well as navigation on 12” and 7” touchscreens.
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The Tidewater 252 CC Adventure is an all-composite design with a cored-foam transom and a composite, foam-filled grid under the decking. She has a 9'3" (2.82 m) beam and the boat we tested weighed 4,930 lbs. (2,236 kg). All mounting surfaces are reinforced, and all hardware is mounted on aluminum backing plates. She comes nicely equipped with the hardtop, Lenco tabs and tilt steering -- all standard. She's a hard core bluewater fisherman with a 21-degree deadrise, but standard bow cushions give family members a spot to stretch out between casts.
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Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge:
Grace, Rugged and 33-Knot Speed

The Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge has distinctive lines, including a near vertical bow, that give her a bit of retro sportfisherman eye appeal, but she's all luxury motoryacht inside. Entertainment centers add attraction to the bridge, the cockpit and the swim platform, where there's a grill, sink and chill box as well as a tender garage. Like all Riviera yachts, she's ruggedly constructed for serious offshore work.
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Test Video

Beneteau Oceanis 60:
Ocean-Going, Luxurious Sailing Yacht

The standard layout of the Beneteau Oceanis 60 has the owner's stateroom forward and features two hanging lockers, a good-sized head and a desk/vanity. Both aft cabins have heads with separate shower stalls. She's also available as a four-cabin model, each with its own head, making her attractive in the charter trade. Color-coded lines run to self-tailing two-speed electric winches in the cockpit, making short-handed sailing an option.
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Test Video

Sailfish 275DC:
375 NMile Range at 23.5 Knots

Regular readers know that we are partial to dual console boats for their wide range of utility, seating comfort, and salty good looks. The Sailfish 275DC scores all of those points with us plus some more, due to her high freeboard, deep cockpit and other good sea-keeping attributes. In certain places in the world, having a seaworthy dual console boat that can cover 432 statute miles or 375 nautical miles at 27.1 mph/23.5 knots on one load of fuel of known quality is an important attribute.
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Test Video

Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300:
Comfort Meets Performance

When it comes to luxury personal watercraft, there’s not much that can touch the Sea-Doo GTX Limited 300. It’s flat-out “cushy” to be on, reports our test captain, and as can be seen above, this machine is easy on the eyes. “Limited” means that it comes complete with a list of accessories and amenities, and with 300-hp it can shift from an easy rider to a “need-for-speed” machine… all at the touch of a button. Need more? Intelligent Brake and Reverse, Variable Trim System, Ergolock comfort, full digital instrumentation… it’s basically loaded as loaded comes. We think the GTX Limited 300 is the most comfortable non-suspension machine that Sea-Doo makes.
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New Features Video

Prestige Yachts 420:
2 En Suites w/ Separate Entries

The Prestige Yachts 420 offers private entries to each of its two full-beam en suite staterooms, a tricky design feat on a yacht under 42' (12.8 m) long. The head in the VIP stateroom also functions as the day head. Added accommodation is available by converting the U-shaped lounge in the salon into a double for overnighting a total of six people. Prestige Yachts makes wide use of durable but attractive Alpi wood interior finishes for long-term durability. Both the cockpit deck and the exceptionally wide swim platform offer natural teak as an option.
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Test Video

Cruisers Yachts 60 Cantius:
A Flagship Yacht for Owner-Operator

The Cruisers Yachts 60 Cantius reserves the entire main deck for entertaining, offering no fewer than five inviting venues stretching from bow to swim platform. The huge hullside windows bring lots of light below decks. The boat ran at a 5-degree angle on plane throughout our tests, giving a good view forward from the helm through the huge compound-curved windshield. Her glass dash is modern and highly efficient. With IPS drives and an extra joystick in the cockpit, the yacht should be easy for the owner/operator to dock, even shorthanded.
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Captain’s Report

Jeanneau Merry Fisher 855:
Compact 29' Cruiser w/ Outboard Power

The Merry Fisher 855 from Jeanneau is 28'7" (8.72 m) long, yet has the feel and the accommodations capability of a considerably larger yacht. She has two cabins with a shared head and can sleep a third couple on a convertible settee in the salon. Outboard power, unusual in the genre, gives increased space inside the boat as well as making her more capable for safe shallow-water operation -- her draft with motors up is just 1'10" (0.56 m).
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Test Video

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49:
Sleek Express w/ 2 or 3 Stateroom Layout

The Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 is an open and airy express cruiser that provides multiple exterior gathering areas both forward and aft, as well as luxury appointments and styling in the interior. A unique feature is the two-story atrium effect that lights up the full galley on the accommodations deck. Standard Volvo Penta IPS600 drives with joystick control plus the optional bow thrusters make for easy operator control no matter how tight the dockage. Interior décor is harmonious throughout the yacht; durable Alpi Walnut joinery complements the Piedmont Oak laminated floors in the wheelhouse, galley and heads.
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Aerial Surf Platform Review

Chaparral 243 VRX:
Twin Jet w/ Wake Shaping Surf System

The Chaparral 243 VRX is a high-performance twin-jet tow-boat, but she also has some special features that make her ideal for wake surfers. With the Aerial Surf Platform package, she can carry a total of up to 1,350 lbs. (612 kg) of ballast water in three collapsible tanks, and the wake can be adjusted to either side of the boat, depending on how much weight goes into each electrically-filled tank. The extended platform itself helps shape the wake as the water flows out from under the hull.
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